Mass Crystallization - GEA Messo PT

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Messo, synonym for crystallization Crystals of citric acid in polarized light GEA Messo PT is well established as globally recognized technology supplier and plant constructor in the field of solution – and melt crystallization and related concentration technologies with focus on business activities to a selected range of industrial applications. GEA Messo PT has been established as a merge of the German based GEA Messo GmbH and the Netherlands based GEA Niro PT B.V. into one operational entity. The newly formed company combines the two technology centers for solution crystallization (MESSO) and melt crystallization/freeze concentration (NIRO PT) allowing to use all crossfertilizing synergies between solution and melt crystallization. At the same time, our customers profit from a better support out of larger and consolidated departments in sales, project management, services and administration. Experience counts for a lot in the implementation of crystallization systems and our combined track record makes GEA Messo PT the supplier of choice for many of our customers. IN THE FIELD OF MASS CRYSTALLIZATION FROM SOLUTIONS, MESSO’S EXPERTISE encompasses all basic types of crystallizers for the crystallization from solutions, such as the forced circulation or draft-tube (MSMPR) crystallizer, the turbulence (DTB) crystallizer, and the fluidized bed (OSLO) crystallizer. MESSO is thus in a unique position to address the special needs of each of its clients, depending on the required product crystal quality and size. In addition to the center piece of a crystallization system, the crystallizer, MESSO offers its clients the supply of optimized peripheral equipment, in several levels of involvement. MESSO routinely supplies upstream and downstream components, such as the preconcentration (in multiple effect, mechanical vapour recompression, flash, and other evaporator configurations), the dewatering (thickening, filtration or centrifugation), drying, solids handling and packaging. MESSO also supplies piping and instrumentation and process control systems for its plants, installations in prefabricated and modularized sections, and turnkey installations, as required by the client. MESSO is a leader in its field through in-depth reviews of its operating installations and research and development. The Research and Development Department of MESSO is housed in a three-hundred-square meter facility, equipped with test units that simulate batch and continuous operation of all basic types and configurations of crystallizers. It has in-house analytical capabilities for direct determination of concentration, supersaturation, and other physical properties of the subject process liquors. Not only the design of crystallizers but the development of optimized separation processes for our clients’ needs is in the focus of MESSO chemists and engineers. In order that its know-how is continually enriched with new developments in the field of crystallization, MESSO has established the close cooperation of several leading European Universities’ Research Centers for information exchange. MESSO engineers share their wealth of practical experience with the international chemical engineering community through presentations during scientific symposia, publications of pertinent articles and the arrangement of national and international crystallization seminars. MESSO contributions have been included in several technical handbooks and the well-known Ullmanns’ Technical Encyclopedia. This state of experience, broad technical background, updated skills and in-depth research are brought to bear on each and every project MESSO handles. The results are tailor-made solutions that combine optimal investment with plant functionality, reliability, modern technology, safety, and respect for the environment. MESSO engineers always look for the most feasible plant configuration which – at the end – is also the cheapest investment. A large part of MESSO’s business comes from repeat clients; this is the best testimony for the quality of our work, the commitment of our engineers, and the performance of our equipment. 4
Crystallization in history and presence In antiquity, settlements developed around, and exploited sites where salt was easily available, whether as rock, brine, or derived from solar evaporation. For example, salt was produced in the Pharaonic Egypt at the Nile Delta; similarly, the Romans recovered salt at Ostia seacoast (near Rome) and the same happened all over the world (e.g. in China). These and many other production sites prove that crystallization from solution is one of the oldest unit operations practiced by humankind. While crystallization in solar ponds is still in regions with plentiful sunshine, its low production rate and mediocre product purity prevents this technology to be used generally. As the world developed through industrial age, the demand for crystalline chemicals increased in variety, quantity, and quality. This led to the birth of crystallization technology that aimed at improving the methods and equipment used in crystallization operations. Modern crystallizers can boast specific production rates that are several orders of magnitude higher than solar ponds, have low manpower requirements, and low production costs. The specific requirements of a crystallizer can vary widely, depending on the nature of the product, and its intended use: pharmaceutical and food products require higher purity, for example, while fertilizers need larger crystal size; the crystal size and final moisture are not as important in crystallization systems which produce an intermediate compound. There are cases where the real product of the crystallizer is the solvent: crystallization is used to separate from the solvent the compounds that make it impure. Further, there are cases where crystallization is used to concentrate a solution, by crystallizing and removing the solvent (freeze concentration). One quality that is present in all crystallization systems, regardless of the final use of the solvent or the crystal, is the ability to separate the crystals from the mother liquor. This ability is a function of the crystal size, and, by extension, a function of the separation equipment that can be used. Centrifugation is by far the most efficient separation method, if the average crystal size is large enough. It is therefore logical to expect that of the characteristics of a crystallizer, the crystal size it produces is of great A 16th century salt works importance. The possible crystal size of a given compound is dependent on its chemical and physical properties, and those of the solution in which it is dissolved. In parallel, the crystal size is dependent on the equipment used to crystallize it, and the method by which the equipment is operated. The crystallizer used can contribute to improving the crystal size, within physical and energy boundaries, by controlling the nucleation, the attrition, and the growth rate of crystals, and by destroying a fraction of the smaller crystals present in the crystallizer itself. Inattention of these parameters, on the other hand, can contribute to a degradation of the crystal size. 5
Page 1 and 2: Mass Crystallization from solutions
Page 3: Content Messo in the field of cryst
Page 7 and 8: Most crystallizers need to produce
Page 9 and 10: MESSO-type crystallizers; FC, DTB,
Page 11 and 12: Turbulence (DTB crystallizer) The M
Page 13 and 14: Application examples Loop crystalli
Page 15 and 16: Evaporative crystallization Evapora
Page 17 and 18: Salt from secondary aluminum slag W
Page 19 and 20: Our product experience Acetylsalicy

Mass Crystallization - GEA Messo PT

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